Relevant experience, length of residency, city improvements and beautification were among the topics discussed by three candidates seeking election to Hardeeville City Council at a stump meeting Tuesday.

Incumbents Sal Arzillo and Sherry Carroll were joined by challenger David Spisso at the forum, hosted by the Greater Hardeeville Chamber of Commerce at Gallery 95 Auction House. Challengers Carolyn Kassel and Justin Patel did not attend.

The five candidates are running to fill two at-large council seats in the May 13 city election.

Hampton Pointe resident Kassel, who also missed an April 24 meet and greet in Sun City, explained her inability to attend both forums in an email last week.

“Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate,” Kassel said. “I was looking forward to the opportunity to answer questions and participate in public forums. I want the citizens of Hardeeville to know that I am committed to the forward progress that we can achieve with a new approach and new ideas for the City.”

Patel, a Hardeeville business owner, participated in the April 24 meeting but said he was not able to attend Tuesday because of prior obligations.

Residents submitted 33 questions to the chamber, which narrowed that number to 12. Each question was written on a piece of paper and pulled out of a bowl by a candidate and read by the moderator, chamber member Deanne Spikes.

All candidates had to answer each question drawn from the bowl.

“How long have you lived in Hardeeville?” was the first question, drawn by Arzillo.

Arzillo has lived in Hardeeville since 1971. Carroll has lived in Hardeeville since 1985 after moving from Columbia. Spisso has lived in Hardeeville for three years. He moved to Sun City North in March 2011.

The participants were then asked if they had served on boards linked to the functioning of the city, giving them the opportunity to speak about their experience and qualifications.

Spisso said he is one of the board of directors for the chamber.

Carroll said she has been a member of City Council for four years, has been a representative of the Lowcountry Council of Governments, has helped bring in money for senior housing, is part of the transportation committee and is on the Jasper County library board. She has also served on the Hardeeville Board of Zoning Appeals.

“I was on the first planning and zoning board that began in the 70s,” Arzillo said. “I was a part of the Hardeeville Business Association, was president of the Chamber of Commerce, and served on Council for four years. In those four years, I never missed a meeting.”

A recurring theme for many Hardeeville residents has been the lack of well-known, chain restaurants in the city, especially around the city’s Interstate 95 exits. One question asked if they would rather a restaurant be built near Exit 5 or Exit 8.

“Because of the downtown revitalization and the branding we’re doing right now, I would focus on Exit 5,” said Carroll. “But Exit 8 would definitely benefit as well.”

“Exit 8 and Exit 5 are only three miles apart,” Spisso said. “Both places and additional places for restaurants are necessary.”

Each candidate has different beautification plans for the city.

“I’ve been a big proponent for natural gas,” Arzillo said. “We’ve added natural gas to the industrial park, but it was always my intention to see getting it into downtown and changing the ambience in the city. The branding shows that we really need to do some more streetscapes.”

Spisso emphasized cleaning the city.

“I want to go out there and paint the town.” Spisso said. “One nice clean coat of paint; just make things so clean.”

Carroll emphasized the five-year plan that was formed during her term on council.

“We’ll begin helping businesses that want a facelift,” Carroll said. “They’ll be able to maintain their individuality and charm that makes them unique. Making sure that we have the input of all of our community is important to me.”

Residents can vote early through absentee balloting by calling the Jasper County elections board at 726-7709 or vote in person May 13 at City Hall.

This year’s election will require a photo ID to vote. Photo IDs can be obtained from the Jasper County elections board.